Expedia.com, the world’s largest online travel agency, has announced some great deals for cruises in Europe for 2011. Travelers participating in the Expedia Rewards program who book a cruise on Expedia can also earn up to 10,000 Expedia Reward Points.

Current examples of current deals offered by Expedia include:  Royal Caribbean seven-night Mediterranean round-trip Venice cruise on the Voyager of the Seas from $499 per person;  Norwegian seven-night Mediterranean round-trip Barcelona cruise on the new Norwegian Epic from $679 per person, plus a $50 spa credit and up to a $400 onboard credit; and a Costa seven-night Civitavecchia Mediterranean round-trip Rome cruise on the Costa Magica from $499 per person

“There is tremendous value for travelers booking cruises in Europe. We have seen increased interest in European cruises this year,” said Koreen McNutt, director of cruise, Expedia.com. “Cruise transactions to Europe continue to become more popular, and for good reason. With airlines cutting capacity to Europe and with fewer travelers able to afford the increasing costs, cruise lines are cutting rates without cutting amenities.”

Expedia recently compared the price for a representative seven-night cruise departing this fall versus a comparable and representative seven-night Mediterranean trip during the same time, including hotel, food and transportation. Overall, two adults taking a seven-night, self-guided trip through Spain and Italy staying in 4-star accommodations paid 68% more than those taking a seven-night cruise in an inside cabin with a leading cruise line. Even a cruise in a balcony cabin offers 33% savings in comparison to the same self-guided trip.

To be eligible for Expedia Reward points, travelers must spend a minimum of $500 on any of the participating cruise lines. To earn points, travel must be booked by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on August 12, 2011 and completed by December 31, 2011.Travelers must provide their 12-digit Expedia Rewards ID at the time booking.